Dyche Backs Ref In Penalty Row

1 March 2014

Sean Dyche felt Burnley merited their 2-0 victory over Derby County, who had striker Chris Martin controversially sent off for diving.

The Clarets boss felt referee Robert Madley called it correctly in not awarding Martin a penalty in first half stoppage time when he slipped under a challenge from Kieran Trippier with Burnley leading 1-0.

Dean Marney later added to David Jones’ first half strike as Burnley secured victory to extend their unbeaten home run to 21 games and a calendar year.

And Dyche was delighted as his players cemented second spot with a fourth win in five outings.

He said: “They are fine lines, but we’ve had seven penalties not given this season, including another one today.

“I must say, I felt they should have had one in the second half, but so was ours on Ashley Barnes.

“What put him (Martin) in trouble was the previous incidents. He had been lively, let’s say, and he got away with one with Jason Shackell, another with Ben Mee.

“He then got booked with the third one and then the referee is under pressure.

“In the incident, I actually think he loses his footing, but once he does that he appeals very quickly.

“If you do that, it’s had for the referee to decide and on this occasion in a tough call, he felt it was a second yellow and off he went.”

Dyche, whose side now sit five points clear of third-placed County, added: “I’m delighted and it’s nice to win a game without the ‘Vings’ partnership getting on the scoresheet, in the best possible sense, of course!

“David and Dean picked up a goal apiece and it’s always pleasing for the players and staff when a set play comes off.

“I am pleased for both of them because they have been in the right area a number or times and it’s just not fallen.

“But it’s a group effort and we were outstanding again today.

“Sometimes the toughest fight you have is against someone with nothing to lose. They were 1-0 down and with 10 men, so in the second half had four at the back, one in front and the rest running everywhere.

“That can be awkward to play against, as it was in pockets, but overall I felt we deserved it.

“I thought the football n the first half was terrific.

“I talk a lot about the fact how the lads go about their business on a daily basis. If you do it there, you don’t need to change anything, or flick a switch on a Saturday.

“Individually, you just go and deliver and I thought in the first half, after a slow-ish start.

“We soon started to really play and some of our movement and the way we shifted the ball through the units was excellent.

“A number of teams have come here and looked to contain us this year and I’m pleased to say they haven’t fared that well.

“There was another sign of that today, but that’s great respect to our players.